In architecture and building occupations the disparity was largest, with 17.3 per cent. The starting salary for male graduates was $52,000, compared with $43,000 for women.

Female dentistry graduates earned about 15.7 per cent, or $14,000, less than men, whose median starting salary was $92,000.

The starting salary for female law graduates was $50,700, compared with $55,000 for men.

The agency's research executive manager, Carla Harris, said there was no adequate explanation for the difference in salaries.

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''There's absolutely no logical reason why a male graduate would be seen as better than a female graduate,'' she said.

The study examined graduate starting salaries in 23 occupations and found that men earned more than women in 13 fields. The pay was the same in education, humanities and medicine. The study analysed figures from Graduate Careers Australia.

Women graduates earned more in seven occupations, including pharmacy, earth and computer sciences. But these gaps were generally far smaller than occupations that favoured men.

Dr Harris said it would take a major change in corporate culture to reduce the salary gap.

''It needs to have leadership and accountability from the CEOs and business leaders,'' she said. ''At the top of many corporations are a bunch of men.''

Dr Harris said employers tended to hire people who were like them.

''People like homogeneity. They like more of the same. It makes them feel comfortable and reduces conflict.''

A separate study, by the American Sociological Association, found employers at elite firms favoured people like themselves. The research, from the Northwestern University's school of management, showed bosses at these US companies chose job candidates with whom they would like to become friends.

Dr Harris said all businesses should review their starting salaries to ensure they were fair. ''We need to fix the culture and embedded discrimination within our companies.''